New Delhi: A 45-year-old man identified as Ganga Ram was killed early Thursday morning after being hit by a Delhi Police control room (PCR) van near the Ram Krishna Ashram Marg metro station. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. near Pillar 10, behind the Municipal Palace and close to the Mandir Marg Police Station.

According to preliminary police reports, the van accidentally mounted a roadside ramp after the driver allegedly pressed the accelerator by mistake, fatally striking the victim. Ganga Ram, who ran a nearby tea stall, died on the spot. His body was sent for post-mortem at a nearby hospital.

The incident triggered panic in the area, with several locals rushing to the scene. Eyewitnesses have raised serious allegations about the conduct of the police personnel involved.

According to media reports, Pandit Babu Tiwari, a local resident and eyewitness, claimed, “The police personnel appeared intoxicated when the accident occurred.” Several locals also alleged that liquor bottles were found inside the PCR van and in the adjacent police room.

As the outrage grew, Delhi Police confirmed that both officials involved in the incident — an assistant sub-inspector and a constable — have been suspended. They will undergo a medical examination to determine whether they were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. A case is being registered, and CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed as part of the investigation.

Additional DCP New Delhi Hukma Ram described the incident as deeply unfortunate, saying, “An unfortunate accident took place here. The police are taking action as per the law. We will provide all possible help to the family of the deceased, and compensation will be provided.”

This tragedy comes just days after another high-profile accident in the capital, in which a senior Union Finance Ministry official, Navjot Singh, was killed after a BMW crashed into his motorcycle near the Delhi Cantonment metro station. His wife and two others were injured in that incident. The accused driver, Gaganpreet Kaur, was later arrested and charged with culpable homicide, rash driving, and destruction of evidence.